Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy associated with preterm delivery: a population-based prospective cohort study

• Published in: European journal of epidemiology Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 493 - 502
• Main Authors: Rours, G. Ingrid J. G., Duijts, Liesbeth, Moll, Henriette A., Arends, Lidia R., de Groot, Ronald, Jaddoe, Vincent W., Hofman, Albert, Steegers, Eric A. P., Mackenbach, Johan P., Ott, Alewijn, Willemse, Hendrina F. M., van der Zwaan, Elizabeth A. E., Verkooijen, Roel P., Verbrugh, Henri A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.06.2011; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the genital system; Biological and medical sciences; Birth weight; Cardiology; Chlamydia; Chlamydia Infections - complications; Chlamydia Infections - epidemiology; Chlamydia trachomatis; Chlamydia trachomatis - isolation & purification; Cohort Studies; Epidemiology; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Female; General aspects; Gestational Age; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Infectious Diseases; INFECTIOUS EPIDEMIOLOGY; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Miscellaneous; Netherlands - epidemiology; Newborns; Oncology; Population genetics; Predisposing factors; Pregnancy; Pregnancy outcome; Pregnancy Outcome - epidemiology; Premature birth; Premature Birth - epidemiology; Premature Birth - etiology; Prospective Studies; Public Health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk Factors; Sexually transmitted diseases; STD; Urine; Netherlands; Pregnancy; Low birthweight; Prevalence; Prematurity; Risk factors; Pregnancy disorders; Chlamydia trachomatis; Epidemiology; Prospective; Association; Cohort study; Chlamydiales; Bacteria; Female; Population; Chlamydiosis; Woman; Public health; Human; Chlamydiaceae; Premature delivery; Statistical study; Infection; Newborn diseases; Sexually transmitted disease; Bacteriosis
• ISSN: 0393-2990; 1573-7284
• DOI: 10.1007/s10654-011-9586-1

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection and may influence pregnancy outcome. This study was conducted to assess the effect of chlamydial infection during pregnancy on premature delivery and birthweight. Pregnant women attending a participating midwifery practice or antenatal clinic between February 2003 and January 2005 were eligible for the study. From 4,055 women self-administered questionnaires and urine samples, tested by PCR, were analysed for C. trachomatis infection. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained from midwives and hospital registries. Gestational ages and birthweights were analysed for 3,913 newborns. The C. trachomatis prevalence was 3.9%, but varied by age and socio-economic background. Chlamydial infection was, after adjustment for potential confounders, associated with preterm delivery before 32 weeks (OR 4.35 [95% CI 1.3, 15.2]) and 35 weeks gestation (OR 2.66 [95% CI 1.1, 6.5]), but not with low birthweight. Of all deliveries before 32 weeks and 35 weeks gestation 14.9% [95% CI 4.5, 39.5] and 7.4% [95% CI 2.5, 20.1] was attributable to trachomatis infection. Chlamydia trachomatis infection contributes significantly to early premature delivery an4 should be considered a public health problem, especially in young women and others at increased risk of C. trachomatis infection.